January 04, 2013

Pressure on Mavs to continue playoff streak

The Mavs have been to the playoffs for 12 straight seasons. The only NBA team with a longer active streak are the San Antonio Spurs, who have advanced to the postseason for the last 15 seasons.

Thus, Brand admitted after Friday's practice at American Airlines Center that the pressure is on the Mavs to extend the franchise's playoff streak to 13 years in a row. But Brand knows it will be tough to accomplish that feat, since the Mavs are only 13-20 going into Saturday's home game against New Orleans.

“That’s what we’re trying to hopefully instill in everybody,'' Brand said of the playoff streak. "It’s a lot of free agents and some guys may not be here (next season).

"But you have to really instill that if you put that jersey on, that’s what you’re standing for.''

The last time the Mavs didn't make the playoffs was the 1999-2000 season. Near the last half of that season -- Jan. 4, 2000 -- Mark Cuban purchased the Mavs from Ross Perot Jr. for $285 million.

The Mavs were 9-22 when Cuban bought the team in 1999-2000, then finished the remainder of that season with a 31-20 record while missing out on the playoffs.